DO YOU KNOW HOW TO STORE FLOUR?

Do you know how to store your flour?

What do you do when you open your flour? Do you simply roll the top of the bag and put it in the pantry? If so you might want to think twice about how you are storing your flour. Flour is one of those staples that you may not use every day, but it is one of those staples that you never know when you are going to need it so having it on hand is essential. Flour is used in so many recipes, however if you are not an avid baker who uses up your flour right away you may not be storing your flour for long term use and freshness, not to mention the prevention of grain weevils.

What is a grain weevil?

Grain weevils are type of tiny beetle found in grains like wheat and even refined flour, like all purpose flour. The weevil and larvae can survive the refining process. Grain weevil larvae are found in the bag of flour when you buy it and the larvae will hatch under certain conditions, such as a warm and humid environments.    

Storing Flour          

It is recommended that by freezing your flour for up to a week will kill any weevil and larvae. If you do use your flour often it is recommended that you store it in the refrigerator for up to one year, or in the freezer for longer than a year. If you use your flour often, then storing it in the pantry in an airtight container is perfectly fine, however it is recommended that all flour be stored in the freezer for about a week in order to kill any weevil and larvae. After freezing, proceed to putting your flour into a glass or plastic container with a tight fitting lid for storing in your pantry. 

Why an airtight container?

If your flour has been hanging around awhile in the original paper bag, or even plastic bag, the weevil will eventually hatch. The weevil can chew its way out, or crawl out of the folded bag. Weevils also like to eat other foods such as cereal and pasta and the weevil will eventually find its way into these products. In order to prevent infestations, it is wise to freeze your flour first, and to store according to your needs (pantry, refrigerator, or freezer) after freezing your flour for one week to kill any weevil and larvae.                                        

Oh and make sure that the police don't mistake your frozen baggie of flour for something else! Just kidding.